Brooder



5?? ,2.5, 1945 J. D. BURKHOLDER, .n

BROODER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 7, 1943 Swan/who@ IRK @MF www,

` sept' 25, 1945.

- J'. D. BURKHOLDER, JR

BROODER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 7, 1943 J. I :il W, \..\|||||||;Wy|.,||| M o w. um i .QW u W ma@ uw u J A@ wm, u\ l@ M 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept 25 1945 J. D. BURKHJQLDERKJ'R BROODER Filed Aug. v, 194s zurkhozozer w..

HC22/MW i Patented Sept. 25, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BROODER Joh-n D. Burkholder, Jr., `Harrisonburg, Va.

Application August 7, 1943, Serial No; 497,820

8 Claims. ('Cl. 119-34) My invention relates to a brooder apparatus for poultry, such as chickens or the like.

An important object of the invention is to provide mea-ns for introducing air, heated or otherwise, into a hover, in a diffusing manner, to avoid as much as'practicable drafts upon the chicks or the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for supplying and diffusing the air into the hover at the central portion of the hover so that such air will be supplied to the center of the groups of chicks or the like, thus providing ample air for the chicks, preventing smothering vdue to crowding.

A further object of the invention is to provide a porous air diffusing element which is vertically adjustably mounted within the hover so that it maybe arranged at an elevation above the chicks so that they cannot engage the same, thus preventing soiling, or may be lowered t'o anwelevation at or near the floor of the brooder room, so that the chicks may come close to thesame. Y

A further object ofthe invention is to provide means to close' a blower motor circuit for forcing air into the broeders and to simultaneously close circuits for booster fanrmotors, arranged within the branch pipes which discharge the air into the hovers. l* l A further object of the linvention is` to (provide means whereby av thermostat arranged within or f near a, Yhover may be employed to regulate the temperature withinthe hovers by controlling the action ofthe blower :motor or the' action of the stoker motor.

A further object'of the inventonis to Vprovide means whereby a thermostat arranged within or near one of the hovers may be employed to control thev action of `the Iblower motor for supplying fresh or cool air to the hovers when'th'e furnace is inactive and no combustion of fuel-takes placetherein. Y `f A further object ofthe invention is to provide means to exhaust air from the brooder room through the hovers, when the air becomes stuffy or over-heated, while all other parts'of the apparat'us are inactive. y

A further object of the invention is'to provide means associated with the branch pipe leading into 'each individual hover, for regulating the s upply of heated air to ythe samefthereby preventing over-heating within. the individual hover.

A furtherv object of the inventionis to 'provide elements for controllingthek passageof heated air into the hovers, which elements are individually adjustable'withrespectlto their extent of Athe same,

` Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a brooder apparatus embodying my invention,

"Figure Z'is a central vertical section through a hover'and associated elements,

Figure 3 is a similar view, parts broken away, showing the porous sack in elevation and lowered, Figure 4 is a similar View, parts broken away, showing amodied form of porous air diffusing meansj Figure 5 is a side elevation of means for operating the heated' air controlled damper of'each hover,

Figure 6 is a similar'view, taken at a right angle to Figure 5,

FigureV '7 is a horizontal section taken on line 1--1 of Figure 5,

Figure 8 "is a horizontal 'section taken on line 8 8 of vFigure 5. l

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designates a coal burning furnace' of any well known preferred type.` 'I'his furnace is equipped with a Stoker yI5, driven by a motor 1 having terminals 8 and 9.

Surrounding the furnace 5 is an air 'jacket or casing I0, receiving air from a rotary blower I I, driven by a motorv I2, having terminals I3 and I4. The air jacket IQ discharges into a pipe I5 having a horizontal portion I6, arranged ,at a suitable elevation in the brooder room. Arranged Within the horiz'ontalportiony I6, at one end thereof is a damper I1 and arranged within the same, near its opposite end isa ldamper I8, and these dampers are adapted to be opened and closed.

At its free end the pipe portion I6 is provided with an enlargement I9, discharging to the atmosphere, and a rotary fan 20 is arranged within thev enlarged portion I9 to draw air out of the enlarged portion I9 and from the pipe portion 16, such air preferably discharging exteriorly of the brooder room. The rotary fan 20 is driven by a motor 2|, preferably arranged within the enlarged portion I9 and having terminals 22 and 23. YAny suitable number of vertical depending branch Vpipes 2li are connected with the horizontal pipe portion I6 and have lower enlarged portions 25. The enlarged portions 25 terminate at a suitable elevation above the floor of the brooder room. 'Mounted within each enlarged portion 25 is a booster fan 26,to forceiairdownwardly and out *of Vthe enlarged'portion* 25 `and this booster'fan is driven by a motor 21, suitably mounted within the enlarged portion 25.V

, Surrounding the enlarged portion 25 of each branch pipe is a hover 28, which is imperforaten.

and may be formed of sheet metal or the like. The top of the hover is provided' with an opening dinarily, the sack would be held in the lowered position a sunicient distance from the oor so that the chicks could pass under it and would not soil it to any considerable extent. The sack 36 may be in. the elevated position shown in Figure 2, whereby it would be out of the reach of the chicks, or at an intermediate elevation between the elevation shown in Figure 2 and the lowermost elevation shown in Figure 3. If the sack is moved downwardly to substantially Contact with theioor, Figure 3, I then surround the sack with a guard 39, to prevent the chicks from contacting with the sack, and I may also use this guard for v the sack when it is arranged at a slightly higher 'Y mounted in a socket III', carried by a rod 42.

29 and the top is vertically slidable upon theerr.A

larged portion 25. Each hover is preferably frusto-conical and increases in diameter down# wardly. .The bottom of the hover is supported at a :suitable velevation vabove the-bottom of: the brooder room by vertically adjustable legs 30. Each leg 30 includes .an jupper sectiony 3|.and a lower section 32. The upper section 3-I hasavertical'slot-'SVS to receivea elamping'boltll. Attached. to the bottomrof the hover 28v is. aflexible curtain 35, preferably Vhaving its-bottomf-edge scalloped. This'bottom edge may bespaced about two'inches'from the flooryor/ any .suitable distance therefrom which will permit thefbaby chicks or the like to` pass thereunder.V As the baby chicks grow, the bottom edge vof the curtain isvraised by verticallyadjustingf-,thezlegs- 30, for elevating the hover 28, and when the poultryl is suiciently largeztheseV eurtainsfsare` removed.' If desired, the ,curtainsrfmay 7-bekvdispensed with throughout the entireoperationof: the-apparatus.

Arranged withinfthe hovera is-a sack-36, receiving-.theenlarged portion r25 `ofthe 4branch pipe. Thisfsack is 'verticallyadjustable: upon the enlarged portion i 25 'byl :anyl suitable meansgy and 'forithis' purpose, .the branchlpipe maybe equipped with vertically spaced pins 31. These pinsiproagainst vertical displacement whileythe'top of. the

sack is tied to the enlarged portion 25 by acord Ia'forthe like". ''hezsackf36is porous-:and is preferably formedof a vvoven-fa'bric. `Ishave found" that: satisfactory results areziobtainedby '"3 using the ordinary cotton feed sa'ckior `the sack 364.' :Thisfeedfsa'ck holdslrO'flbs. of feed. `I'he porous sack 36 may be arrangedizfintheupper portion'of the hoverr28,-and.insthis-'position it 'will :beout of contact'with'theichicka This porous sackv diiusesY the. :incoming air,.- -heated'or not; disch-argred'through it, causingan' even .dis-

tribution kof'zthe airrwithin the hover, without creating an'V appreciable orundesirable draft..- The sack 36 `isspacedV laterally .from the hover-and the .air discharged through it passes-in alldirem Vtions. 1 I also contemplate'moving thesack down-l .v-ardly.V upon' .the 'enlarged A'portion l25.- so 'that its V`bottom. may `be arranged. adjacentY toithe :floor ofthe broeder roomyFigure 3. 'I7his"will: enable the chicksrto come close to'thesack-which would constantly supply.4 freshi airV `to` :the: center of fthe group "of chicksgfthereby: eliminating thel possibility of the chicks -smotheringdue'to vcrowding lack of air'.U When/air isexhausted from the F hoverrthrough vthejpipe` I6, as twill be explained,

the sack 4will serve as anlter to prevent ther'dust or the like in the broeder room passing into Vthe .pipe and.associatedelements.Y `:Afterjthis,thesack may be removed so that it may;bre.:cleaned:fl Or- This rod extends diametrically of the enlarged pipe portion 25 and is attached to its lower end. A guardS is also attached to the pipe portion 25. andsurrounds the bulb. This guard is ofr open construction to Ipermit of the -passage kof light and may be acne half inchmesh hardware cloth. Any suitable circuit is employed to-supply current tothebulb. YItis thus seen that the bulb. is--arranged withinthe sack 36, and ithis sack is translucent, and the sack will diffuse the light .passing through the same, This diffused light will attract the young chicksinto the hover but will notA be sufficiently strong to disturb their rest. The feed Ysackthat- I contemplate using for the sack 36is a- `white or'unbleachedl cottonfsack. vSince this sack is also used to diifuselight, -it must be translucent, and I may dye the white sack green, yellow,l or any othercolor which will produce a restfuleifect.

While I prefer to use the sack, I also contemplate` using a horizontal porous vdiaphragm 40, Figure 4, preferably made of thefs-ame materialas the sack, This horizontal porousfdiaphragm is arranged within the hover `-Zwandsuitably -attached theretozatits marginal. edge;Y Ample space Vmusttberleft beneath'they diaphragm-.40 so that will now betdescribed. 'Ay/ire' 42 is connected f with one terminal of the thermostat 4I and this K move in unison. The switch blade-44 is adapted tothe-moved .into engagement with a' stationary terminala 49, connectedY 'with' a wire 50, connected .witha positive lead wire 5L v.The switch vblade 41 is adapted to be moved' into engagement lwith a stationary terminal'52,;connectedwitha wire 53 vand thiswiref53 is connectedwith the terminal fIlItof the motor 1I 2,asshown. i The opposite' terminal I3 of the motorr lf2 is connectedwithiawire '54 connected withthe negative 1eadiwire55; Conclosed and cold opened thermostat 58, arranged near the jacket I0, interiorly or exteriorly of the same, to be heated thereby. A switch blade 59 is connected with the wire 53 at 60 and is adapted to engage a stationary terminal 6I, connected not heated over 300 F.,to open the thermostat 12. The switch blade 83 is now'closed and current is induced in the secondary winding 82, the lead wires 5I and 55 being connected with an alternating source of current, and the solenoid winding 16 is energized and the bridge Contact 14 engages terminals 13 and 15 and `connects the with the wire 53 at 62. When the switch blade 59 10 engages the terminal 6| the switch blade will be connected across the terminals of the thermostat and the circuit will be made through the switch blade 59, the thermostat being then cut out of circuit. Connected with the terminal I3 of the 15 motor I2 is a wire 63 and a wire 64 is connected with the terminal I4, and the motors 21 of the booster fans are connected in parallel across the wires 63 and 64 by wires 65 and 66, respectively.

The operation of the circuit to drive the mo-tor I2 is as follows:

The switch blade 44 engages the terminal 49 and the switch blade 41 engages the terminal 52 and switch blade 56 disengages terminal'51 and switch blade 59 disengages terminal 6I. ing that the furnace 5 is heating the air within the jacket I0 above 200 F., then the hot closed thermostat 58 is closed. When the thermostat 4I closes by lack of heat under the hover 28, a

Assumcircuit will then be closed to drive the motor I2.

In this closed circuit current passes through the wire 5I, wire 50, closed switch blade 44, wire 42, thermostat 4I, wire 45, closed switch blade 41, wire 53, and thermostat 58, terminal I4, motor I2, terminal I3 and wire 54 to the lead wire 55. 35

At this time switch blade 61 is opened.

When the circuit was closed to drive the motor I2, as explained, a parallel circuit was also closed to drive all of the motors 21 of the booster fans 26. The wires 64 and 63 are connected with the 4 motor I2 at the terminals I4 and I3, respectively, and the motors 21 are connected across the wires 63 and 64.

A circuit is provided to drive the stoker motor 1, and this circuit will now be described. A wire 68 is connected with the positive lead wire 5I and the wire 69 is connected with the negative lead wire A55. Connected with the wire 69 is a wire 10 connected with the terminal 9 of the stoker motor 1. The terminal 8 of the stoker motor 'I is connected with a wire 1I having a cold closed and hot opened thermostat 12 connected in series therewith. The wire 1I is connected with .a stationary terminal 13, to be engaged by one end of a bridge contact 14, the opposite end of whichl engages a\ 5 stationary terminal 15, connected with the wire 68. The bridge contact 14 is moved inwardly to contact with terminals 13 and 15 by a solenoid including a winding 16, one end of which is consame. A circuit is now closed to drive the stoker' motor 1 and in this closed circuit current flows from the lead wire 5I through wire 68, terminal 15, bridge contact 14, terminal 13, wire 1I and thermostat 12, motor 1, wire 10, and through the wire 69 back to the lead wire 55. The thermostat 12 closes at 200 F. and remains closed up to 300 F, and then opens and remains open down to 200 F. and again closes at 200 F. and remains closed beneath 200 F. When the circuit for the motor 1 is closed, the motor is operating and the stoker is then operating the furnace to cause the same to heat the air passing through the jacket I0. The thermostat 12 is heated by the air within the jacket I0, and may be disposed interiorly or exteriorly of the jacket.

Operating in conjunction with the bridge contact 14 is the usual timer which will close the circuit of the stoker motor at intervals, if the switch 83 is opened, to keep there alive, provided thermostat 12 is closed.

It is thus seen that the thermostat 4| will open and close the circuit for the blower motor I2 as the temperature varies beneath the hovers. This is important when the chicks are young, as the temperature should be kept as constant as practically possible. However, this may cause the unnecessary operation of the stoker motor 1 and the burning of an excessive amount of fuel when the chickens are larger or the weather is mild. It is not then necessary to maintain the temperature 0 under the hover at such a high temperature or 5 tion of the blower motor I2.

In operation whereby the thermostat 4! controls the operation of the stoker motor 1, the switch blade 56 is closed and switch blade 83 is opened. Blade 44 is now swung into engagement 0 with terminal 19 and blade 41 into engagement with terminal 88, switch blade 61 remaining open. When the thermostat 4I cold-closes the circuit for energizing the solenoid winding 16 is novi closed at the thermostat 4I instead of at the 5 switch blade 33, and the circuit for the stoker nected with a wire 11 and the opposite end of 60 which is connected with a Wire 18. The wire 11 is connected with a stationary terminal 19 and the wire 18 with a stationary terminal 80. The terminal 19 is arranged to be engaged by the switch blade 44 and the terminal 80 to be en- 65 gaged by the switch blade 41. Connected across the wires 63 and 69 is a primary coil 8| of a transformer, having a secondary coil 82, connected in the wire 18. A switch blade 83 is connected in the wire 18 and is adapted to be moved into engagement with a stationary terminal 84, connected in the wire 18,

While the circuit was closed for the blow-er motor I2, a circuit was also closed for the stoker motor 1, provided the air within the jacket I 0 Was motor 1 is closed as previously explained, and the stoker motor 1 is driven. This stoker motor circuit will remain closed until the thermostat 12 reaches 300 F., or until the thermostat 4I opens, upon the heat within the hover rising to the se-V lected degree, at which time the stoker motor circuit will open.

The thermostat 58 is a hot closing thermostat, and when the furnace 5 reaches 200 F. the thermostat 58 closes, by radiation from the jacket I 0, and then the circuit for the blower motor I2 is closed. In this circuit current passes from the wire 5I, through switch blade 56, terminal 51, wire i 53, thermostat 58, motor I2, and wire 54 to the the vhover by controllingthegoperation cfzthe stoker motor 1...

l'Ihe thermostat 53 is cold opened when vit reaches approximately 150111., and should the stoker motor 1 fail to work and the furnace 5 not heat the thermostat 58'to 200 F. the circuit would not be closed at the thermostat 58 to drive the blower motor I2 and cold air would not be forced into thev hover. 'Ihe thermostat 53 opens at 150 F. Vand stays open'until 200" F. is reached, and when it closes it remains closed untilY it returns to 150 F. v r Connecting with the wire .50 is a wiref85, connected with one terminal of a hot closed thermostat 86 arranged within one of the hovers 28; Connected with the opposite terminal of the thermostat 85 is va wire 81, connected with the Vwire' 53. rEhe switch blade 61 is connected in the 'wire 81 to engage a stationary terminaly 38, as

shown. f f l yIn hot weather, or when it is otherwise desired to force cool air into therhover, the furnace being inactiveV and no combustion of fuel taking place therein, the switch blade 55r is opened, the switch blade 59 is closed and Vswitch blades 44 and v11 are .moved to the intermediate or neutral position, not engaging with the terminals :39, 19; 52, 80; respectively, and switch blade 81 isclosed. The hot. closing thermostat 86 may now close and the circuit is closed to drive the-.blower motor l2. In this closed circuit current passes from wire 5 l ,through wire 50, wire 85, thermostat 86, switch 6.1 and wire 81, wire 53 and switch blade 59, terminalY i4, blower motor 12, terminal i3, and Wire 54 to wire 55. Thecircuits for the booster fan motors are also closed. The motor l2 is therefore driven and the air atatmospheric temperature or suitably cooled is forced into the hovers.

Means are also Yprovided to withdraw air from the brooder room'and from under the hovers when such air is overheated or becomes stufy, or to withdraw air to prevent this condition. This means comprises the motor Y2| and a wire 89. is connected with the terminal 22 and has .a hot closed thermostat 9o connected therein. The wire 89 is connected with the wire 5l. Connected with the wire 55 is a wire 9| connected with the terminal 23 of the motor 2l. A wire 92 is connected across wires 8e and 9! and has a hot closed thermostat 93 connected therein. The thermostat S3 is arrangedin any suitable position in the brooder room exterorly of the hover. A switch blade 9e is connected in the wire 89 and is adapted to engage a terminal 95, connected in blade Eli-engages the terminal 95, thermostats 9U n and 93 are cut out of circuit.

When the motor 2i is operated to withdraw air from the room through the hovers, all of the system hereinbefore described is inactive and the damper l1. is `closed and the damper I8 is opened. When the temperature rises su'lciently and either or both thermostats 2c and 93 are closed the cir-` cuit for driving the motor 2! is closed Vand this motor drives the fan-2S which exhausts therair from the pipe I5, in turn exhausting the air from the Vroom through the hovers, causing fresh air Y to enter and .take the place of the exhausted air. When the circuit is closed for driving themotor El by the thermostat 90, current will pass from wire 5l, through wire 89, motor 2l, and through wire Si back to the wire 55. Instead of starting thermotorgi by they thermostat or thermostats I may start the same by closingthe switch blade Y ed, thus cutting the thermostats out .offcircuit Theswitch bladei94may be.` closed. and opened manually orV may be closed and opened .by time controlled means. when it isdesired to driventhe motor 2l at selected intervals.

The fire is started in the furnace 5l and the stoker motor 1 is set intoaction, and the furnace is thereby heated to at least v200 F., while the fuel is burning therein.

The.. time controlled means automaticallyoperatestl'ie 'bridgecontact 14 so that the furnace -willnot go out and will maintain a temperature` contactbladei1 into engagement with terminall et, and closing contact blade, the circuit for the blower motor' |2-will be closedand controlled by the thermostatl 58, while the circuit for the stoker motor 1 will be closed and controlled by the thermostat l subject to the action of the thermostat 12. Y

When theswitch blade S3 is in the Opened position and switch bladesfd and 41 in the neutral position, and switch blade 56 opened and Yswitch .blade 5S closed, the furnace 5 is inactive andcool ,air vmay vloe supplied tof-the hovers. This yis accomplished by closing .the switch blade @1,` the circuit for the blower motor l2 being controlled Boy the thermostat 86. y

Y .When all other parts of the apparatus are `inactive, air may be withdrawn from thebrooder room through the hovers by-opening damper I8 and closing damper l1 and the circuit for the motor 21 will be controlled by eitherthermostgat Si! or 93` or by the closing of the` switch blade When the system is operating Vto supply air, lheated or cooled, into thehovers, the damperV M3 is closed and damper I1 opened, andthe motor 2! is inactive, which is effected by opening a switch blade 89 connected in the wre.

A.l1/bile I prefer to use thefbooster fans, yet they may be dispensed with, .particularly where the .blower Il alone will deliver air under sufcient pressure `to` the hovers.

.Means are provided to maintain the temperature within theseveral hovers V28 at substantially the same degree, when the furnace and blower are operating to supply heated `air to the same. To accomplish this, I arrange a damper Sii, in each branch .pipe 2d, preferably above the fan .motor Y branch piper.V A vertically swinginglever v9S is mounted upon'one end of the rock shaft S1 and carries-a counterweightV 99 at one end-Which is preferably longitudinally. adjustable upon the lever $33 and is held in the-selected adjusted position by a set screw 10S. .The leverV 98 isprovided between its ends with a head I l having an opening H52 to slidably receive the rockshaft'-,fso that the lever may b'e angularly adjusted with respect to the rock shaft and the damper. e After the selected adjustment is obtained, the lever Sil-is clamped to, theirock shafe911by a/Setscrew |114...

aeeaesa Automatic means are provided to move the lever 93 in opposition to the weight 99, including a solenoid |05, havinga winding |06 and a vertically movable core |01. The winding |06 is held stationary by brackets |08, mounted upon `the exterior of the branch pipe 25. Arranged albove and =below the winding |06` and core |01 are stationary guide brackets |09 and ||0, attached to the branch pipe 24, as shown. A vertical diamagnetic guide rod ||I is rigidly secured to the brackets |09 and 0 and is slidably mounted within a central opening ||8 formed in the core |01 and passes through the bore of the winding |06. Attached to the free end of the lever 98, at ||2, is a connecting element H2, which may be a link, cord or the like, having its lowerY end attached to the core |01, at ||3. The numeral ||||V designates an adjustable stop rod, slidably mounted in an opening ||5 in the upper bracket |09, and clamped in the selected adjusted position by a set screw, ||6. The lower end of this stop rod is arranged in the path of travel of the upper end of the core |01. It is thus seen that the stop rod will limit the openingmovement of the damper 96, which opening movement may accordingly be regulated or adjusted.

Connected with one end'of the solenoid winding |06 is a wire ||9, connected with the wire5l, and a Wire |20 is connected with the opposite end of the winding |06 and is connected with the wire 55. A hot closing thermostat |2| is connected in the wire |20 and is arranged within the hover near its bottom or the iioor. The thermostat |2I closes at a selected temperature, such as from between '75 F. to 95 F., and remains closed above the selected degree and opens when the temperature falls below the selected degree and remains open until the temperature again reaches the selected degree.

t is thus seen that when the temperature within each hover rises to the selected degree, the .thermostat |2| will close and remain closed while the temperature is at or above the selected degree, and this action will energize the solenoid which in turn will close the damper 95. The closing of the damper cuts of the further supply of heated air and prevents over-heating of the chicks inv the hover. It is important to have individual control means for the heat, for each hover, where a plurality of hovers are used with one source of heat, for it is otherwise dicult to properly regulate the heat within the hovers, since the hovers are arranged diierent distances from the source of heat.

When the temperature drops below the selected degree in each hover, the thermostat 2| opens and the solenoid is deenergized, and the weight 99 will swing the damper 96 to the open position, thus permitting the further supply of heated air to the hover. The extent of opening movement of the damper 96 is regulated by the adjustment of the stop rod ||5. The damper may therefore be opened, to a selected degree, to properly control the volume of heated air which Will enter the hover in a given time.

While I prefer to operate the damper 96 automatically, yet some degree of success may be had |by manually operating the same.

In the operation of the apparatus, the stop rods ||4 for the several hovers are adjusted to regulate the extent of opening movement of the several dampers 96. By limiting the opening movement of the dampers 96, the temperatures within the hovers may be fairly well regulated. For instance, the hover which is nearest the furnace, has its damper open for the least extent, while the extent of opening increases with each damper more remote from the furnace. vThus byV retarding the flow of heated air into the hover, where the hover is nearer to the source of heat, over-heating may be prevented in some instances. However, the automatic means to close the damper cooperates with, and serves asa check against, the action of the stop means, to prevent over-heating. This isl desirable, because overheating may be caused by unusual factors, such as the chicks in the hover unduly crowding, thereby raising the temperature within the hover. The temperature within the hover may also be varied by air currents in the brooder room.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may lbe resorted to without departing cfrorn the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims. f

Having thus described by invention, what I claim is:

1. In a brooder, agenerally vertical hover provided at its top with an opening, a generally vertical pipe extending into the hover through the opening and having its outlet end at an elevation considerably above the lfloor of the brooder room, means for supporting the hover so that its bottom is arranged near and spaced from the iioor, and a porous air diffusing sack mounted upon the air supply pipe within the hover and shiftable to a raised position above the reach of the chicks and to .a lowered position in contact with or adjacent to the floor.

2. In a brooder apparatus, a furnace, a Stoker for the furnace, a stoker motor to drive the Stoker, an air jacket surrounding the furnace, a blower discharging into the air jacket, `a blower motor to drive the blower, a pipe connected with the air jacket, a group of branch pipes connected with said pipe, hovers receiving the branch pipes,` an exhaust fan arranged adjacent to the outlet end of saidpipe, an exhaust motor to drive the exhaust fan, a circuit connected with the exhaust fan motor, ya hot closed thermostat connected in the exhaust fan motor circuit, a damper mounted 4within said lpipe outwardly of one end of the -v group of branch pipes, and a second damper A mounted within said pipe outwardly of the other end of thegroup of branch pipes and disposed inwardly of the exhaust fan.

'3. In .a brooder, a hover, an air supply pipe leading into the hover, and a porous air diiusing sack within the hover, said sack having a considerably larger diameter than the pipe and having one end closed and its opposite end open to receive the pipe, the open end being contracted and secured to the pipe, the sack extending radially beyond the pipe for a considerable distance.

4. In a brooder, a hover, a generally vertical air supply pipe within the hover, and a porous air diffusing sack arranged within the hover and having a considerably larger diameter than the pipe, the forward end of the sack being closed and its rear end open, the rear open end receiving the pipe Vand Ibeing vertically adjustably mounted upon the pipe, the sack extending radially beyond the pipe for a considerable distance, the arrangement being such that the outlet end of thlpipe may be positioned near the center of the sa 

